Lessons 8 & 9 Revelation 3:7-22 Letters to Philadelphia and Laodicea

The City of Philadelphia 30 miles southeast of Sardis In the valley of the Cogamis On border of 3 countries: Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia

The City of Philadelphia Founded by Pergamene king Attalus II ~ 140 B.C. Because of loyalty to his brother Eumenes, Attalus was given the name Philadelphos; city was named after him (brotherly love) Considered a missionary city intended to spread the Greek language customs to the east Strategically located on one of empire s greatest highways Destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17 and rebuilt with help from Tiberius Lived in constant fear because of frequent after shocks Area conducive to grape growing; famous for its wines Chief pagan cult of city Dionysus, the god of the vine Nicknamed Little Athens because of numerous temples Primary opposition to the church from wealthy Jews

Lessons for Today Open doors are a blessing from the Lord; they are opportunities for growth. Just as the church at Philadelphia had, we too have open doors unique to this congregation at this place and time. Let us see those and take advantage of them. If we hold fast to the Lord, no man can take our crown. It is ours to keep or ours to lose. Are we holding fast? Are we keeping His word and unashamed of His name?

Philadelphia An Open Door Overview One of the two letters with only commendation Begins with a unique self designation of Christ An open door set before them; an opportunity Knows them and their works They have persevered in the face of opposition from the Jews Will be a trial coming upon the world; He will keep them from that Closes with the admonition to hold fast and overcome they will enjoy His promised rest

Philadelphia An Open Door V. 7 He who is holy Unlike the immorality that surrounds them; His implicit call is for them to be holy as He is He who is true Should worship the one true God; contrasted to Jewish hypocrisy He who has the key of David Implies the ability to gain access and give that access to others The Lord can open doors for them; provides full access to the Father He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens Access He provides cannot be thwarted by anyone; He provides that access only for those He chooses those who are righteous

Philadelphia An Open Door V. 8 He knows! Both sobering and encouraging (Ps. 139:1 2) An open door They are persevering well; gives them opportunity to excel even more Increasing the possibilities to be fruitful and grow even in a pagan city Special significance to the Christians of this missionary city Now, an open door for the spread of Christianity door similar usage: Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3 In a unique place and situation, with the needed abilities The Lord wants them to use these to His glory Open doors are a blessing from the Lord opportunities for growth We too have open doors unique to this congregation at this place and time

Philadelphia An Open Door V. 8 (cont.) Have a little strength little may indicate a weariness; worn down from striving Hailey: may mean their power was small: few in numbers, not very wealthy, or even low social order in the city Perhaps this open door will make things easier and allow them to regain strength and grow Have kept My word A true sign of their love for God (1 Jn. 5:2 3) The basis for their ability to persevere Have not denied my Name Unafraid and unashamed to confess their allegiance to and belief in Christ; brought opposition from the Jews of the city

Philadelphia An Open Door V. 9 Likely source of trouble for the Christians of Philadelphia The Jews of the city Their hypocrisy the synagogue of Satan and not God (see 2:9) The Lord will deal with them Will no longer be a problem for the Christians Do not know exactly how the Lord dealt with them Would cause them to rethink their opinion of the Christians Hailey two possible explanations for bowing of the knee: The Jews would be converted to Christ The Jews come to recognize the true power of the church but do not obey the truth

Philadelphia An Open Door V. 10 Have kept command to persevere (v. 10) Have done exactly what the Lord expected of them Will not suffer in the hour of trial coming upon the world May mean the persecution that will test many will not be so severe here in this city V. 11 Coming quickly His coming in judgment upon those who stand opposed Reassuring will deal with such soon and they will have relief Hold fast what you have continue and remain steadfast If so, you will have your reward, and no one can take it It s in their power and no other man s to keep this crown How about us?

Philadelphia An Open Door V. 12 promised reward for those who overcome A pillar in the temple of My God; he shall go out no more My God 3 times; gives Himself completely to service of the Father Encourages them to see God in the same way their God; their Friend; the One and Only true God Pillar something steadfast; have been granted access within, and now can abide there permanently as a pillar does Harkrider: In ancient times when a person died who had given outstanding service, a pillar was inscribed in his honor with his name upon it in the temple of his god. The names: My God, the city of My God, My new name A name written on them implies possession or ownership They belong to the Lord; will be citizens of this New Jerusalem This will be their eternal abode with God (see ch. 21 22)

The City of Laodicea Located about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia In the Lycus valley in southwest Phrygia At juncture of two important trade routes Named after the wife of Antiochus II, Laodice In Roman times, became the wealthiest city in Phrygia When an earthquake destroyed the city in A.D. 60, city officials refused any help from Rome to rebuild Prosperous enough and self sufficient to rebuild on their own

The City of Laodicea Reason for success : The banking center of Asia Minor; held much gold Black wooled sheep were raised nearby; produced a beautiful glossy dark colored material Famous medical school; most notable medicine Phrygian powder a remedy for ailing eyes Water source An aqueduct bringing water from nearby hot springs The church in Laodicea Col. 4:13, 16 Epaphras Col. 1:7; 4:12; Phm. 1:23

Lessons for Today Failing to see ourselves as we truly are is a dangerous condition to be in. Let us be diligent to always look into the mirror of the word and make needed corrections. (Jms. 1:23 25). There are no retirees in the kingdom. If we become satisfied with our accomplishments and think we no longer need growth or fruitfulness, watch out lest the Lord spew us out of His mouth!

Laodicea Lukewarm Overview Only bad things to say; harshly criticized Not for some great sin or false teachers, but for their lukewarmness Greatest problem they do not see it Think they need nothing no correction; satisfied with things as they are Vigorous counsel to them; encourages repentance Can still set things right and overcome Can have fellowship with Christ and reign with Him in His kingdom

Laodicea Lukewarm V. 14 Christ s self designation The Amen to be firm or steadfast Expresses certainty; purpose and character are fixed and sure The Faithful and True Witness His testimony is absolutely trustworthy He is well qualified to testify against the church in Laodicea The Beginning of the creation of God The instrument of creation; the cause of all that we see (Jn. 1:1 3) As such, He is over all things

Laodicea Lukewarm V. 15 He knows their works. What are they like? Lukewarm water; neither cold nor hot. Most drinks are served either piping hot or ice cold. Why? They just taste better Laodicea s water source Jenkins: aqueducts carried water from hot springs south of the city; by the time the water reached the city it was lukewarm Colossae a stream of cold water nearby Hierapolis noted for its healing hot springs Is being lukewarm, spiritually better than being cold? Cold knows and more likely to do something about it Lukewarm in a dangerous condition; self satisfied; thinks no change or correction needed

Laodicea Lukewarm V. 16 Lord will spew them out of His mouth Rather vivid picture of His reaction Nothing zealous about them worthy of commendation Nor, falsehood and immorality that is easily pointed out and dealt with Just getting by; doing the bare minimum; half heartedly following Christ The Lord has little patience for such as these No retirees in the kingdom Do not become satisfied with our accomplishments and think growth or fruitfulness is no longer needed

Laodicea Lukewarm V. 17 Elaborates further on their lack of awareness Think they need nothing; self satisfied; wealthy But in fact, they are what? Wretched, poor, blind, and naked A sad state of affairs when they think they are really something, when in fact they are spiritually bankrupt What can you do with someone who doesn t recognize their spiritual condition? Like the rich fool in Jesus parable (Lk. 12:15 21) Failing to see ourselves as we truly are is a dangerous condition to be in (Jms. 1:23 25)

Laodicea Lukewarm V. 18 Q6. What did He counsel them to buy and why? Buy gold refined in fire for their poverty; need to become rich in works and service to God White garments for their nakedness; need to make themselves pure spiritually Eye salve for their blindness; need to recognize their condition V. 19 Time to repent and be zealous Need to be on fire for the Lord Chastening will come, but only because He loves them

Laodicea Lukewarm V. 20 The Lord is knocking on the door of their heart; patiently standing there; waiting for them to respond If they will open to Him, will be in full fellowship with Him once again V. 21 promise of overcoming They can sit with Christ on His throne Can reign with Christ, both now in the kingdom and eternally (2 Tim. 2:11 12)